Caption: Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Photo: T&T Parliament
By Alicia Chamely
AS part of the government’s 2026 legislative agenda a bill will be introduced for three judges to sit in capital cases, says Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
Speaking at Friday’s sitting of the parliament at the Red House, Port of Spain, Persad-Bissessar detailed legislation her government had prepared to bring in 2026, noting legislation would be brought to parliament based on its order of national priority.
Stating the legislative agenda originated from the United National Congress’ election Manifesto, which had been adopted as government policy, Persad-Bissessar announced the reform of the judge-alone trials in relation to capital cases.
Persad-Bissessar said, “This Government intends to introduce a bill to reform the judge-alone trial process to provide for three judges to sit in capital cases.”
Explaining the reasoning behind the reform, she said, “This proposed reform is aimed at enhancing accountability and potentially addressing concerns voiced in relation to single-person decision-making in matters of life and death.”
A capital case was one dealt with to serve acts of criminality, such as murder. If convicted, the guilty can be given a life sentence or even the death penalty.
Other legislation related to the Office of Attorney General included the establishment of Office of the Chancellor within the Judiciary.
Persad-Bissessar said the creation of the Office of the Chancellor was meant to “ease the administrative burden on the Chief Justice, in order to allow more time and focus to be directed to the hearing and completion of cases, to strengthen judicial leadership, enhance administrative oversight, and to ensure strategic coordination of judicial affairs.”
Former chief justice Ivor Archie touched on the topic of having an Office of the Chancellor established at the Commemoration of the Opening of the 2025-2026 on September 16, 2025. Archie stated he knew many attorneys were hesitant about the proposal, but told them, “Do not panic.”
The former CJ commented on the proposed Chancellor stating, “The Prime Minister has offered to support the judiciary’s administration, which is not a bad thing. She has also promised public consultation to which we look forward. However, until there is a concrete proposal to discuss as in who appoints this person, to whom do they report, what their job description is etc., we are in the realm of speculation.”
Other significant pieces of legislation being brought forward in 2026 included:
- Tobago Self-Government Bill 2026;
- Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2025- Rights to Trial within a Reasonable Time;
- The establishment of a medical malpractice country, legislation to deal with praedial larceny;
- The Private Security Industry Bill 2025; and
- The establishment of the T&T Cannabis Licensing Authority and amendments to the Miscellaneous Provisions (Alcohol, Cannabis, Dangerous Drugs, Gambling and Tobacco) Bill 2025 to raise the minimum of age of usage and participation
Persad-Bissessar said, “The Government’s Legislative Agenda is a powerful means through which the executive translates policy into law. And to be more specific, it is evidence of the fulfilment of our campaign promises to the people of our nation.”
“In the coming months, we continue to fulfil our promises to the people of Trinidad and Tobago through our legislative agenda. Our order paper today is evidence of this,” she said.
Since assuming office on April 28, 2025, the government under Kamla Persad-Bissessar has brought 13 pieces of legislation, including the Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority (Repeal) Bill, 2025 and the Children’s Life Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2025, to parliament.
